Because everyone's life gets a little crazy sometimes

I’m back! Whether I’m rested and relaxed, I’m not quite sure. A 4 day 7 hour a day intensive school session right after driving 10.5 hours back from FL is not the most relaxing experience.

Anyway, with everything bad that’s been happening – hurricane, tornadoes, and earthquakes – I started thinking how thankful I was that all my friends and loved ones were safe. It also made me realize just what I am thankful for in my life. Of course when I got to the lupus part my first thought was “Well, it sucks! There’s not really anything good about it.” However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s not exactly true.

Yes it does suck, being in pain every day, watching how much sun you get, not being able to hold a fork or pen all the time, but think about it…what’s changed about you in a good way? I, for one, realized the following about myself:

I am much more grateful for the little things in life like getting to read a book outside in the sun for a few minutes. Waking up and being able to walk normally or without a head ache makes me thank God every morning.

I appreciate my family even more than I already did. They are the strongest people I know and I can always call them or text them when I need them. If I’m ever really sick, I know they’re only an 8 hour drive away and ready to come help me.

I’ve realized who my real friends are and am thankful to have them in my life. They’re always there for me when I need it.

I have healthier habits than most people. My diet isn’t nearly as bad as most of my non-lupie friends (no offense to any of you). I just can’t eat salty stuff or high fat stuff because it makes me look and feel sick.

I have more motivation to go exercise when I feel good enough too. I used to do 15 hours of workout a week when I was a gymnast. Then I quit and got lazy. Now, when I can get to my zumba class I go! And it makes me feel good!

I laugh. A lot. I laugh and smile all the time and people always comment on it. If I constantly dwelled on the bad in my life, I wouldn’t have much of a life. So I find the fun in everything and I laugh and I smile!

My goals are set high and I have yet to not meet one. For me, I feel like I’ve dealt with so much up to this point in my life that there is absolutely nothing I can’t do if I work hard enough. I was always determined, now I’m 10 times more determined. I wanted a law degree. Is it hard? Yes! Probably the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life! But I’m in my last year, I did it and I’m proud of myself!

Lupies learn to be proud of themselves even for the smaller accomplishments in life. Who else would be proud that they made dinner tonight? That they lived on their own for a month? That they managed to work 10 hours a week?

Think about it. Lupus, any illness or condition, is often seen as a horrible curse. But, many blessings, albeit small blessings come from it. What good has come out of your condition?